Hi
My 05 Mercury Mariner 4cyl has a ticking noise emanating from the motor.
My neighbor seems to think it's the cam lifters that need adjustment?
I know didley about cars so i thought i would ask the experts.
Thanks

The valve clearance is adjusted manually on that engine. As the valve 'train' wears, the clearance generally closes up, so if it starts to make noise, it would not be from increased valve clearance. Unless the 'bucket' surface, or the cam lobe surface has deteriorated, you should not get valve train noise. There just aren't any parts to create a tic.
As noted, an exhaust leak can cause a similar sound, and in a lot of cases would tend to quiet down as the engine warms up and closes up the gap between the head/gasket/manifold.
tom

!!!! I have dealt with this and if it the same as mine, you need to check the spark plugs. There is a common problem with some models of motors with the spark plugs loosening. It is a bad/defective head issue with them, that ford is refusing to address. The aluminum heads only have 3 threads holding the plugs in and they can loosen themselves too the point that they blow out. The only warning is a noise that sounds just like a valve tap. If you check for a loose plug and that is the issue, you will save yourself a huge headache. I recommend checking for this ASAP. A couple more things, as it is an aluminum head with weak threads be careful not to over tighten the plugs, while you are in there you might as well change the plugs or at least clean and gap the ones that are in there. God bless and good luck.

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